Naturopath for menopause

Krystleathome_064.jpg

Menopause is not a disease. It’s a stage of life.

It’s a new chapter in life.

Menopause can take up half of a woman’s life, and it’s the stage where women have an enormous capacity for creativity, manifestation and personal growth.

Menopause is when women become more assertive, better at setting boundaries and personal development and career goals, especially if this time coincides with an empty nest.

Add a heading (9).png

Your hormones aren’t necessarily out of balance. It’s about making the transition without too many symptoms and disruption to the quality of your life. This is where things can get a little tricky, with many of my clients trying over the counter tablets and not getting much relief or support.

There is also an interesting dialogue around learning to cope with the symptoms cause it’s a part of the process. But, of course, this is not necessarily true, but more on that in a moment!

You’re not alone in this transition, and you can reach out and get help with the transition;

I see women in the clinic who are asymptomatic, and in other cases, women will experience every single symptom possible.

There can be a genetic link to symptoms, and so looking to your mother and what she experienced may be telling but not necessarily the same as what you will go through. Let’s take a closer look at the general facts.

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

Peri menopause

pexels-los-muertos-crew-7260646.jpg

Peri-menopause can start as early as 30 years old, and the key thing here is to note that this doesn’t mean you can’t fall pregnant you still can. However, if you want to lose pregnantly, you might want to gain some support with that.

Hormones being to shift. It can last between 3 to 10 years, and one of the most common questions is.

How long will I be going through this? and there isn’t a simple answer.

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

Menopause what does it actually mean?

Eggs are no longer released from the ovaries

Oestrogen and progesterone production slows down

There’s no period for 12 months or 6 months with an elevated FSH

It typically occurs in the late 40’s early 50’s

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

Factors that can bring menopause on earlier

Chronic disease- Lupus, arthritis

Smoking

Trauma or emotional shock

Certain pharmaceutical medications

Excessive amounts of CHRONIC stress both physical and psychological

Sudden menopause due to hysterectomy

Early menopause happens at 45

Premature menopause occurs at age 40 or younger

Average age of menopause is 51

What is Post menopause?

It is the stage after you have not had your period for 12 consecutive months. Symptoms begin to ease at this time; there is also an increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis.

Add a heading (10).png

Women who start menopause at 45-50 years have a lower rate of breast cancer, risk increases by 3% each year after. Oestrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer. This is useful to know if you have a family history, and there are many things you can do to ensure you’re protecting yourself from developing cancer.

One study has found that women who reach menopause at age 55 rather than 45 will have a 30% higher risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

Add a heading (11).png

So this is where it’s helpful to understand your health and reduce other factors.

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

What Symptoms are associated with Peri-menopause?

pexels-polina-tankilevitch-5473079.jpg

Changes in cycles

Flooding with periods

Hot flushes

Sleep disturbance

Mood swings

Dry, thinning skin

Hair thinning or loss

Trouble concentrating

Weight gain

Vaginal dryness

UTI’s (oestrogen tones muscles and the bladder is a muscle and so when you see a drop off in oestrogen, your bladder tends to become weaker and so you don’t get the same clearance of urine. Pelvic floor exercises are important.)

PMS symptoms are still possible.

What symptoms are associated with Menopause?

All of the above and the symptoms are generally more pronounced in this phase as the hormones continue to shift.

One of the main symptoms women are concerned with is their hair. This can become thinner and sparse. This is also a lot you can do about this symptom.

Hormones to be assessed and supported by your health care practitioner:

FSH

LH

Estrogen

Progesterone

TSH—master hormone in pituitary

Cortisol

DHEA’s — adrenal glands

Testosterone

ACTH—signals adrenals

All of these hormones should stay in sight as they can play a role in your health and wellbeing.

Elevated DHEA can lead to hair loss on the head and hair growth elsewhere. It’s considered the longevity hormone.

Testosterone is important for:

Oestrogen production

Important for libido

Maintains bone and muscle mass

It does continue after menopause but at low levels.

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

Naturopath for menopause — The therapeutic management

pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-4641827.jpg

This is very individualised and depends on what your symptoms are and where your hormones are. So it’s important if you’ve had any pathology testing done or you’re already on synthetic hormones that you bring all of that information with you to your first session with your naturopath.

For now, you might choose to start working on some of the basic changes like:

#1 Avoid triggers spicy foods, hot drinks

#2 Drink cold liquids during a hot flush

#3 Avoid alcohol as it can trigger hot flushes

#4 Introduce calcium-rich foods to decrease bone loss.

#5 Reduce caffeine can potentiate hot flushes.

Therapeutic management— Lifestyle tips for you to explore

#1 Deep breathing

#2 Layering clothes

#3 Avoid warm climates—Winter snow holidays anyone?

#4 Regular exercise— resistance type exercise is very useful for supporting with the production of
certain hormones as well as helping with the bone density.

#5 Don’t smoke.

#6 Stress reductionYoga, meditation, art therapy. Now’s the time to get creative!

#7 Maintain a healthy weight—Key for both your heart health as well as managing symptoms.

Common Herbal remedies used in my natural health clinic

I can’t stress enough how important it is to have your hormones tested and have a clear idea of your current levels before employing herbs and other nutraceuticals. Over the counter supplements aren’t all created equal and you can end up taking products that cause more imbalance in your body.

Add a heading (12).png
pexels-kulbir-6815275.jpg

Black cohosh
Some evidence and research shows that it significantly reduces menopausal symptoms and hot flushes

Rhubarb
Extract of rhubarb root— 4mg orally daily for 3-27 months has been found to be useful for many symptoms including sex drive

Sage
Has been found to decrease hot flushes

St Johns wort
Can be very useful for mood swings and low mood and energy. It has a lot of contraindications so seek professional advice before taking this one.

Valerian
If sleep is an issue this is a common herb to support with that.

Vitamin D
Key for helping with bone density, and immune system support as well as mood and energy.

Bio-identical Hormones
Something to consider as we can certainly discuss pros and cons in relation to this one.

There are still some risks with bio-identical hormones and cancer. So you should know that, but they have been shown effective at reducing menopausal symptoms and in clients where there is a real compromise to the quality of life, these can offer some relief.

As I wrap up this post I want to remind you that this isn’t a condition it’s a transition to a new phase of your life. In the change there are so many wonderful positive things waiting for you. Even if it doesn’t seem the case right now.

For many of my beautiful clients it’s a time to connect with the creative parts of them, the parts that may have been left in the time before they had their family.

Line+Spacer+Jpeg.jpg

Natural Health Clinic Sydney

You don’t have to struggle through alone. If you have any questions you can book a complimentary 15 minute appointment with me below. I look forward to chatting to you soon.

Krystle Alves